New Ericsson Module Delivers Mobile Broadband to Consumer Electronics

Ericsson's vision of an "all-communicating world" is now that much closer to reality. The 2G-, 3G- and 4G-technology provider introduced a tiny, low-power module for embedding high-speed HSPA mobile broadband connectivity in consumer electronics.

Ericsson has introduced a new mobile broadband module, its
fourth in 12 months. While the
last, introduced, in June, put the focus on netbooks, this new module, the
C3706w, looks to bring embedded, high-speed wireless connectivity to consumer
electronics (CE) such as GPS navigators,
e-book readers and media players.

The CE module is one-third the size of previous Ericsson
modules, which creates opportunities for device designers. It's also capable of
reaching uplink speeds of 5.76 Mbps, while using 40 percent less power than
previous modules.

Additionally, the CE module features a self-contained design
- what Ericsson refers to as "plug and play," meaning it can work with
multiple platforms, as well as "wake-on wireless" capabilities that enable it
to wake up devices from sleep mode. Ericsson offers this capability for PCs, says Jan Backman,
director of marketing with Ericsson's Mobile Broadband Modules group, "Now,
we're bringing that to consumer electronics. For instance, it can wake up an
e-book, based on a particular news alert. If you have it in your pocket or bag,
it can bring up the news." It's also an ideal fit for security and messaging
applications. "Our vision is clear: all devices that can be connected will
be connected, as the technology required for an all-communicating world is now
here," said Mats Norin, vice president of the Mobile Broadband Modules group,
in a statement. "This module opens a new realm of possibilities and innovation
for the consumer electronics industry as they can now easily and
cost-effectively integrate the power and speed of mobile broadband in today's
and tomorrow's devices."Backman calls the module the first proof - or big outcome -
of Ericsson's relationship with Intel. The two have worked to bring HSPA data
solutions to Intel's "Moorestown" platform-based mobile
Internet devices, or MIDs. Though the CE module is "open to work with any
processor platform," Backman told eWEEK, the two have worked together to
successfully optimize battery consumption. Pankaj Kedia, director of global ecosystem programs at
Intel's Ultra Mobility Group, remarked in a statement, "At Intel, we are
working to bring the benefits of PC-like, rich and visually appealing Internet
experiences to a range of mobile devices, including next-generation handhelds
and netbooks." Kedia called the high-performance and low-power needs of Intel's
Moorestown platform, coupled with Ericsson's 3G module,
an "exciting combination" that will "go a long way in helping to realize this
vision."The C3607w was unveiled at the
Intel Developer Forum, running Sept. 22-24 in San
Francisco. It will begin shipping in the first quarter
of 2010.

Michelle Maisto has been covering the enterprise mobility space for a decade, beginning with Knowledge Management, Field Force Automation and eCRM, and most recently as the editor-in-chief of Mobile Enterprise magazine. She earned an MFA in nonfiction writing from Columbia University, and in her spare time obsesses about food. Her first book, The Gastronomy of Marriage, if forthcoming from Random House in September 2009.